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Friday, February 20, 2009 -- Anonymous (not verified)

Sections:

Arts & Culture

Friday, February 20, 2009

Author(s):

herald.staff

WATCH: DANNY GOKEY ON ‘AMERICAN IDOL’

Simon and Randy have already said they expect one of this season’s male contestants to be the next American Idol. We’ll go a giant step further and boldly declare that the winner will be Danny Gokey. The church music director has more than a winning voice and personality. He’s got soul. And a heart-breaking back story (his young wife died four weeks before his “Idol” audition). If waiting for Gokey’s inevitable coronation eliminates the suspense, “Idol” remains worth watching just to hear what Danny boy will sing next. - LARRY KATZ

READ: ‘THE OXFORD PROJECT’

In 1984, photographer Peter Feldstein turned an abandoned storefront into a studio and set out photographing all 676 residents of Oxford, Iowa. Twenty years later he did it all again. With text by Stephen G. Bloom, “The Oxford Project” is more than a coffee-table book. It’s like a nonfiction, illustrated version of “Our Town” - side-by-side portraits reveal the impact of time for cowboys and cooks and children now grown. (Welcome Books, $50). - JED GOTTLIEB

TRY: OLIVE’S ‘THROWBACK FRIDAY’ MENU

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Olive’s in Charlestown is rolling back the clock with a “Throwback Friday menu.” Every Friday through the end of April, the restaurant will offer some of owner Todd English’s signature dishes at 1989 prices: Beef Carpaccio with Roquefort Polenta for $5.50, Grilled Octopus with Chickpeas for $5.95, Brick Oven Roasted Half Chicken for $12.95, Bouillabaisse for $15.95. In this economic climate, who can’t get behind that? Olive’s, 10 City Square, Charlestown. - MAT SCHAFFER

CLICK: DAVID AFTER DENTIST REMIXES

The YouTube video of a disoriented 7-year-old Florida boy dealing with the effects of anesthesia following a trip to the dentist has drawn more than 10 million views since it was posted two weeks ago. But the remixes and mash-ups that have followed in its wake are even funnier than the original. “Chad Vader After Dentist” and “Josh After Boozer vs. David After Dentist” are among the best, but more are popping up every day. Search “David After Dentist” on YouTube.com. - BILL BURKE

LISTEN: ‘SKIPP WHITMAN V. RICHARD PRYOR’

Skipp Whitman’s background - Brookline-raised, a degree in accounting, real-estate licenses in three states - is about as hip-hop as, well, Brookline. But despite initial suspicions, Whitman proves he’s got the goods on his hilarious mixtape battle with Richard Pryor. Now if he could only show Joaquin Phoenix how to get down. Available at myspace.com/skippw - MARTIN CABALLERO